John Szott: A Veteran’s Path to Becoming a Pastor-Theologian

If there is a “usual path” to becoming a pastor-theologian, John Szott hasn’t taken it! Coming out of high school, John planned to study theology at a small private school, but then he felt “a certain call on [his] life.” He ended up at West Point, which entailed a service commitment following his graduation. The sudden shift was challenging for him, forcing him to stretch his faith in new ways as he gave up his own plans and sought to follow the Lord’s lead.

When he finished his service commitment, John was excited—it was time for him to pursue the degree in theology he had long wanted! He began to look for a school where he would be challenged to dig into biblical studies and theology. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) stood out because of its evangelical perspective coupled with the intellectual rigor for which TEDS is known. John enrolled in the Master of Divinity program and received several scholarships, including the Dean’s Scholarship and a leadership scholarship.

John’s time at TEDS was academically challenging and spiritually edifying. He enjoyed getting to know his professors, who each impacted and invested in him on different levels. John says they were “sources of deep wisdom and pastoral care in addition to being excellent teachers.”

When it comes to coursework, John says, “I can’t say that I’ve had a class I didn’t enjoy.” He loved theology classes in particular. “They really opened my eyes to what the theological task should be and how it should be framed: not just a purely rational pursuit, but also a holistic endeavor engaging the mind and the heart.” He continues, “At TEDS, theology was presented not as a problem to solve but something that stirs up a sense of wonder and worship at the same time as it engages those intellectual capacities.” He also enjoyed many of the talks offered at the Henry Center, particularly a series on subversive orthodoxy.

John’s formation group was an additional highlight. Led by Dr. Joshua Jipp, who John says has “a huge heart for students,” the group would meet weekly for lunch to share their struggles, praises, and prayer requests. “That’s been an opportunity, a place of mentorship and care, for all of us. Dr. Knight and Dr. Jipp really just attended to the challenges of seminary life, the struggles, and the things that are going on with family relationships and classes. They provided a space to just kind of talk about that and support and encourage and pray for each other,” John says.

Some of John’s best memories are meeting a multitude of new friends. He enjoyed getting to interact with the faculty and building a community through being in person on campus. John says, “The relationships are really what kind of give the TEDS experience a lot of texture, and to me, they are where you kind of learn the type of character traits you want to embody going forward in ministry.”

The years John spent in the military proved deeply beneficial during John’s time as a graduate student. “I already had a lot of practical skills, like time management, which is important when going through seminary with a family. I knew how to be proactive and plan ahead.” These made all the difference! John explains, “I [didn’t want to] go through seminary and not know my family at the end because I just spent hours in the library.” Because of the time management skills he learned in the military, the opposite occurred—he is closer to his family than ever before!

In addition, the contrast between TEDS and West Point, which is entirely secular, gave him a special appreciation for a school like TEDS. John says being attuned to the differences in the schools “taught me the value of this space—of TEDS’ type of education. It just kind of helped me to see the value of learning from people who share worldviews when it comes to faith and the love of Christ. That’s something to be savored…I’ve seen a lot of growth in my walk with Christ these past couple of years.”

As John looks ahead to a future as a pastor-theologian, he is grateful for what he has learned about faith and work and how the two are inseparable. “I’ve gathered a new vision for how there really is no distinction. Our work is not something that is separate from our call to be holy, to be sacred, or to do things that are sacred,” he said.

This vision transcends his vocational calling: “I’ve just appreciated seeing everything that is done—even mundane tasks like changing diapers (I have two daughters)—can be an act of worship, a holy moment when approached from the right posture.”

Most importantly, however, he has found that while understanding theology is important, “I’ve learned that it’s ultimately about instilling the right character and the virtue. Character and virtue are going to sustain me going forward in a life of ministry…That’s what I think I’ll walk away with. That’s a good start towards a life as a pastor-theologian.”

To the donors who make TEDS possible, John says, “TEDS is such a worthwhile institution, a worthwhile space that’s been cultivated by the administration and the faculty. It’s been a life-changing experience, a place that I know I’m going to look back on knowing it was foundational to my vocational work as a pastor and as a theologian. I’m just grateful to not only those who have donated but those who have helped to preserve, build up this institution, and keep it a faithful institution dedicated to God’s Word. I think that’s just so necessary moving forward in our current landscape.”